Fibrosarcoma Rabbit

Question
Hi Dana - On Feb 1st my 6 year rabbit underwent surgery to remove 3 tumors, one of which was relatively large and required extra time to close the wound.  Unfortunately, during this time another tumor formed.  It was very fast and is getting larger every day.  It's location is near the sternum :-(  I am confronted w/4 paths:
1.  CT scan (again!) and surgical excision followed by radiation
2.  Radiation therapy (1 dose/wk. for 4 wks.) to control growth only and possibly prolong life
3.  Radiation therapy (3 doses/wk. for 4 wks)to control growth only and possibly prolong life in best case, 1 year
4.  Let him be to live out his remaining time

I am of course profoundly disappointed in the outcome and am understandably skeptical about jumping in again.  I have been taking him to UC Davis Veterinary Hospital.  They don't seem to have much data at all on rabbits.  Will you with your intimate knowledge of rabbits help guide me please?  I love him dearly.......

Thank you,
Karen

Answer
Dear Karen,

If your subject line is an actual diagnosis, then I don't blame you for not wanting to make him undergo more surgery.  Fibrosarcomas in rabbits are generally highly aggressive, and will almost always recur over and over again, even with surgical excision with good margins.  I know a few people who have tried radiation, but success has been limited with this type of aggressive cancer.

I am so very sorry about the poor prognosis.  Only you and your bunny can decide--along with all the pertinent information from your vet--about whether to go through additional procedures that will probably not cure the problem, but only prolong things (though in some cases the stress of surgery and radiation can actually make the bunny sicker).

I can't see your bunny to make a guess at how this is going, and I'm not the attending vet.  But if this tumor came back so quickly, and if this were my bunny, I probably would put him through as little as possible, but keep him on excellent pain management (Metacam and Tramadol is a fantastic combination) for as long as possible.

Sometimes there is only so much we can do before just love and doting and hospice care become the best options.  I wish I could advise you better, but this is the type of decision that can only be made in person.  I know you'll do what's best for both you and your beloved friend.

I hope this helps.

Dana